Singapore Official’s comments on neighbouring countries creates furore; Vietnam-China Friendship Festival in Hanoi; Indonesia holds terror suspect Abu Tholut; Indonesian cleric faces terrorism charges; Malaysia to reach 100 percent literacy rate by 2016
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    • According to the Wikileaks revelations, Singaporean diplomats have made comments on the leaders of some close Asian allies, including neighbouring Malaysia, calling them corrupt, incompetent or stupid. Confidential diplomatic notes given by the Web site to Australia’s Fairfax media group contained unflattering assessments of key figures in Malaysia, Thailand, India and Japan.1

    The Vietnam- China festival was flagged- off in Hanoi on December 11. The festival presented an overview of friendship activities launched by the two countries during the Vietnam-China Friendship Year 2010 as well as the initiatives for the propaganda and education on the traditional friendship between the two countries.2

    Meanwhile, Abu Tholut who is suspected of plotting attacks in Jakarta and assassination of political leader has been arrested by Indonesian authorities. Abu Tholat is suspected of helping to set up training camps for terrorists in Aceh province of Indonesia. In 2004, Tholut was imprisoned for seven years, but was later released on grounds of good behaviour.3 However, the Indonesian police have charged Abu Bakar Ba’asyir with inciting terrorism in the country, a charge the cleric has been denying. He has served a 26 month jail term earlier on similar grounds.4

    In other developments, according to the Deputy Rural and Regional Minister of Malaysia, the country is expected to achieve 100 percent literacy rate for adults by the year 2016. According to the reports, literacy rate in Malaysia is currently at 96 percent.5

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